Zephaniah (Whom the Lord hides or shelters)

Zephaniah’s genealogy goes back four generations where most prophets’ only go back two. Perhaps this is because he was a “Black Jew” (son of Cushi) and also in the line of King Hezekiah and a cousin to King Josiah, during whose reign he wrote. His prophesies, recorded between 640 BC and 612 BC had both a near and far fulfillment. He wrote mainly to Judah (southern kingdom) but his message also included “all nations”.

Examination: (Why?)

1. Zephaniah’s lineage and what it means

Zeph 1:1 “1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.”

The name “Cushi” in scripture regards “a dark-skinned person of African descent”.

Gedaliah was appointed governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. He also was the person who took Jeremiah into his protection during a time when his life was threatened.

Amariah was one of the high priests, from the line of Aaron, during the reign of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was one of the few kings of Judah who was constantly aware of God’s acts in the past and His involvement in the events of every day. The Bible describes Hezekiah as a king who had a close relationship with God, one who did “what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 31:20).

Zephaniah’s prophecy took place during the reign of King Josiah (son of Amon) who was probably his cousin. Consequently Zephaniah had an inside track to what was going on in the southern kingdom in those days. He may have been influential in the reforms that King Josiah instituted to bring Judah back from four decades of idolatry. He was also a contemporary of Jeremiah.

2. Universal Judgment

Zephaniah’s prophecy was one with both near and far fulfillment. The “near” fulfillment came under the tyrannical reign of Nebuchadnezzar. The “far” fulfillment relates to the 70th week of Daniel. Both refer to divine judgment of God upon the idolatry of Judah.

Zeph 1:2-9 “2 I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth— this is the Lord’s declaration. 3 I will sweep away people and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth. This is the Lord’s declaration. 4 I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the residents of Jerusalem. I will cut off every vestige of Baal from this place, the names of the pagan priests along with the priests; 5 those who bow in worship on the rooftops to the stars in the sky; those who bow and pledge loyalty to the Lord but also pledge loyalty to Milcom; 6 and those who turn back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him. 7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is near. Indeed, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated his guests. 8 On the day of the Lord’s sacrifice I will punish the officials, the king’s sons, and all who are dressed in foreign clothing. On that day I will punish all who skip over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.”

The first three verses describe the “far” fulfillment when all creation will be swept away from the faith of the earth. This is a more complete judgment than in Noah’s day, because we see that “the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins (idols) along with the wicked” will be cut off. Then to underscore the complete desolation, he wrote “I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth. This is the LORD’s declaration.”

In vv 4-9 the message of the LORD through Zephaniah narrowed to specifically focus on Judah (McArthur) and God’s judgment through Nebuchadnezzar. In particular God focused on the worshippers of Baal, a fertility god who supposedly made both crops and people more fertile if he was worshipped. Sometimes children were sacrificed to Baal to appease him and gain his favor.

The spirit of Baalism may be found in America today. We sacrifice children (abortion). We worship sexual intercourse with no restraints. We embrace fanatical behavior (drugs, alcohol, spiritism and adrenaline highs) in search of fulfillment and escape. These are all vestiges of Baal worship.

In v 5 Zephaniah recorded that people were mixing their idol worship with the worship of the true God. Today there are people who profess to be God-followers, but who bow at the altar of astrology (horoscopes) and sexual immorality. Milcom (sometimes called Molech) was the god of the Ammonites. Worship of this god included child sacrifice, astrology and sacred prostitution. Even Solomon, in his latter years, was turned to this idolatrous worship being led astray by his pagan wives. Zephaniah referenced in v 6 those who “turn back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of Him.” Many churches today fall into the trap of formulating plans and asking for God’s blessing on them instead of seeking God and inquiring of Him, “What would you have us to do?” Once we know what God wants us to do, we don’t have to worry about having the money to get it done. God finances what He ordains.

So, Zephaniah, how do we get back to seeking the LORD and inquiring of him? Zep gave the answer in v 7 “Be silent in the presence of the LORD God, for the Day of the LORD is near.”

Nu 13:30 “30 Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!””

Hab 2:20 “20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let the whole earth be silent in his presence.”

Zec 2:13 “13 Let all humanity be silent before the Lord, for from his holy dwelling he has roused himself.””

When John encountered Jesus in Revelation 1:17 “17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last,”

There is a time for exuberant worship, clapping hands, shouting, singing at the top of your lungs, but there is also a time to be quiet in the presence of God. Remember the experience of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13 “11 Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

Remember also the admonition of the Psalmist in Psa 46:10 “10 “Stop fighting, (be still) and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.””

God’s promise was to bring judgment on those who had been in power during the time of the drift into idolatry…including those of the family of the king (before Josiah, who was only 8 y/o when he became king.) Those who are “dressed in foreign clothing” refer to those who have embraced the styles as well as the idols of the pagan nations. Those who “skip over the threshold” are those who are quick to run from the temple to plunder the poor.

3. The gory details of Judgment

Zeph 1:10-18 “10 On that day— this is the Lord’s declaration— there will be an outcry from the Fish Gate, a wailing from the Second District, and a loud crashing from the hills. 11 Wail, you residents of the Hollow, for all the merchants will be silenced; all those loaded with silver will be cut off. (these areas are all on the north side of Jerusalem where much of the business took place. As when Jesus cleansed the temple, merchants were taking advantage of those coming to worship in the temple.

12 And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who settle down comfortably, who say to themselves: The Lord will do nothing—good or bad. (There was the tendency then, as it is now, to think that because God had not already judged evil, that He would never do it. These people settle into their “comfortable” lives and see no need to repent. One commentary noted that they had become “stagnant in spirit” like the thickened crust which forms on wine which has been left undisturbed for a long time. These people had become indifferent toward God and could take of leave worship and service to Him. In our time these are the ones who would say, “I don’t need the church. I can worship God whenever and wherever I please.”)

Through Zephaniah God warned them that the “things” they were relying on would soon be taken from them. 13 Their wealth will become plunder and their houses a ruin. They will build houses but never live in them, plant vineyards but never drink their wine.

14 The great day of the Lord is near, near and rapidly approaching. Listen, the day of the Lord— then the warrior’s cry is bitter. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and total darkness, 16 a day of ram’s horn and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.

( Matt 24:44 “44 This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”)

The final two verses describe the “far fulfillment” of the prophecy, or what we call the “Day of the LORD”.

I will bring distress on mankind, and they will walk like the blind (grope their way around) because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. their silver and their gold will be unable to rescue them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of his jealousy, for he will make a complete, yes a horrifying end of all the inhabitants of the earth.” This judgment is against all the inhabitants of earth (Christ followers have been removed) The “stuff” they have relied on will be worthless. Only those who have “laid up treasures in heaven” will be blessed.

Application: (How should I respond to this message?)

The only response we can have that will benefit us is repentance and surrender to God.

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